Language Arts

At The Wilson School, we view language development as an integrated acquisition of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We recognize that language abilities are essential for the intellectual, emotional, and social growth of all students. We know these skills are best learned through meaningful contexts. We use a variety of strategies and materials to ensure our program meets the needs of all types of learners.

Oral/aural language skills are developed continuously throughout our curriculum. Students are expected to follow oral directions to engage in increasingly complex tasks, to retell stories and to discuss literature, to ask and answer questions, and to communicate information effectively in both formal and informal settings. Students hone their speaking and listening skills in many ways, including giving oral presentations, listening to stories, and participating in conversations, individual conferences, and class discussions.

The reading program focuses on developing skills that will enable every student to become a proficient reader, to understand ideas presented in any type of text and to apply those ideas to different contexts. Focus of instruction moves from the literal level of comprehension in the early years to critical thinking skills as students progress through the grades. We encourage and foster the love of books at all levels. We recognize that the joy of discovery and the thirst for reading and information are the cornerstones of becoming a literate individual.

The writing program offers each child the opportunity to create, to express feelings, and to communicate information in increasingly sophisticated formats. Students move from story dictation to independent writing across multiple genres. They learn to convey information in an organized and clear manner using the conventions of writing. The students view writing as a process that includes reflecting, polishing, conferencing, and editing. The students celebrate their writing by sharing their work with the school community and others, thus becoming more capable and confident writers.